San Antonio Spurs Fantasy Basketball Season Preview

Winning 67 games last season was only good enough for a second-round exit, and with their biggest competitor in the West getting stronger (Warriors), it makes for an interesting regular season for a team who are known for using the season as a laboratory for the playoffs.

Position Battles

Starting Point Guard

Tony Parker is one of the few people in the NBA who thinks he’s a starting calibre point guard, and it looks like Gregg Popovich is the other. Parker is entering the season as a 34-year-old, in an era dominated by quick, young and athletic point guards. Mills provides two things that Parker doesn’t, quickness and an outside shot, and given the Spurs system, and both Gasol and LaMarcus’ ability to pass out of the post, they can do with an extra shooter on the court. Parker will likely keep the starting spot, but expect Mills to steal minutes from him.

Rise in Value

Danny Green

Danny frustrated owners last season, but this season I’m predicting he’ll frustrate owners a little less and return to his 2 3PM, 1 STL and 1 BLK averages of 2014-2015.

Decrease in Value

Pau Gasol

It’ll take an extreme optimist to think Pau Gasol’s production won’t take a dip this season. He’s going to go from a 16 PTS, 11 REB and 2 BLK player, to 13-15 PTS, 8-9 REB and 1-1.5 BLK with the Spurs. They’re still good numbers given his reliable shooting percentages, but you don’t want to be the person who reaches for him on draft day.

Other Player Summaries

Kawhi Leonard First Round

Leonard remains a great first round option in both Roto and H2H formats. It’s hard to see him taking on a bigger offensive role given his already high usage rate of 25.8%, but his numbers from last season are enough to make him an MVP candidate.

LaMarcus Aldridge Consistent

LaMarcus is seen as a boring pick on draft day, with little upside, but he’s consistently a 18-19 PTS, 8-9 REB, 1 BLK player, who give you incredible efficiency in both percentage categories.

Dewayne Dedmon Deep League

Dewayne is the best rim protector on a team screaming for rim protection. He’ll play enough backup minutes at center to make him deep league relevant, given Gasol isn’t exactly known for his defense, which has been a staple of the Spurs identity since Popovich became head coach.